Thread: Better Business Bureau ?

Was contacted today, after running ad with logo, in the local shoppers news, by the Better Business Bureau. They wanted me to join....My question. Do any of you think this is good business? I need your imput to make my decision. They offer free truck decals and I can use their logo in my advertising....reaches a major metopolition area.....what do you think? I've been told this is a waste of time and money.....what do you think? I want your imput.

Sounds like even the BBB is sleazy these days. It's like they're selling an implied endorsement of businesses. They know consumers will assume things that aren't necessarily true, even though I'm sure if you criticized them about this they'd make sure to tell you that they aren't endorsing anyone. They just want their money.

This reminds me of the practice of trade magazines naming certain businesses "xxxx of the year" in return for placing lots of ads with them.

I used to work for a publisher and coincidentally every year the "person of the year" just happened to be the one who spent the most money with us.

But does anyone actually have any experience dealing with the Bureau? Seems like, to me, to be a good thing....the business man and the home owner might like that re assurance. Face it, would a low life scrub have that endorsement?

It seems to me that that endorsement tends to lend a certant amount of creditability to who ever uses it...something that the average scrub could not obtain.

Captken.... Our company is a member of the BBB. Customers really feel comfortable knowing you are conforming to a strict business standard by being a member of the BBB. I get a real chuckle out of business's that selectively use the BBB logo, knowing their company has a bad rating with the BBB.

Yes, by all means it is a great asset to have on your business resume.

Two reasons why I will not ever use the BBB; (#2 being the biggest reason).

1. It is too expensive for what you get. Our company would have to pay over $500 EACH YEAR! (They base their prices on yearly volume, if I remember correctly) I don't see us getting that much of an increase in profit just from becoming members.

2. If you are a member of the BBB, people can file a complaint against you for FREE! If you are NOT a member, they have to pay $15 or $20 to file a complaint against you. So by becoming a member, you make it much easier for people to file complaints about you. It's rediculous!